The Japan Airlines Scholarship Programme is an annual short-term scholarship programme that selects young individuals from eleven Asia Pacific countries (including the Philippines) to fly to Japan and take part in lectures, discussions, and hands-on activities centered around a main theme.

The theme for the 2009 Programme is “International Cooperation — its achievements and drawbacks.”

The JAL Scholarship Programme will run from the 29th of June to the 15th of July, 2009. Programme participants will be based mainly in Tokyo, but will also fly to Ishikawa City in Kanazawa Prefecture for the Asia Forum, as well as homestay in other locations. During their stay with the Programme, participants are encouraged to learn more about the culture and society of Japan, as well as those of their fellow Scholars.

The JAL Foundation and Japan Airlines will shoulder airline tickets to and from Japan, as well as transport, accommodations, and insurance costs of all Scholars during the length of the Programme.

Prospective applicants to the JAL Scholarship Programme must satisfy a basic criteria, such as:

• The applicant must be a Filipino citizen, and is an undergraduate or post graduate student of a recognized Philippine college or university;
• The applicant must be 18 to 24 years old when the program commences;
• The applicant must have an interest in social contribution and environmental issues;
• The applicant must have good physical and mental health;
• The applicant must have an interest in Japan and be willing to experience Japanese culture and customs;
• The applicant must have a strong command of English (if the applicant has taken TOEIC or TOFEL examinations, please provide results).

College and University students who have satisfied the above criteria, and wish to apply for the Programme, are asked to submit the following requirements:

• Write an essay in English that centers around the theme “International Cooperation — its achievements and drawbacks”; the essay should not exceed 800 words, and must be typewritten or printed in double-space on a standard A4 sheet;

• Submit a sealed envelope containing a sixth copy of the essay bearing the applicant’s signature, plus the applicant’s bio-data complete with signature, two 2×2 ID pictures with the applicant’s name written in the back, and a copy of the applicant’s latest certificate of enrollment from their college or university.

Applications may be hand-carried or sent via courier to The JAL Scholarship Programme, Japan Airlines, 2nd Floor Oledan Square, 6788 Ayala Avenue, Makati City 1226, Metro Manila (MAP) on or before 20th March 2009. For inquiries and clarifications, you may contact Ms. Rosalie Bailon at 02-886-6991 (phone) or 02-886-7000 (fax).